Bothwell Street

Created under the Mt Gravatt Neighbourhood Plan, the Bothwell Street complex was designed to fit comfortably into the suburban neighbourhood yet provide a contemporary example of architecture, whilst acting as a catalyst for further development in the suburb of Mt Gravatt.

The brief was to provide 57 single bedroom units for residents of social housing for Brisbane Housing Company. This was to be achieved with a balance of affordability and built quality on a site with a mostly residential context and outlook. The design needed a high level of social sensitivity, It was important that spaces were arranged and made in a way that encouraged a high level of interaction and social cohesion.

The challenge was to condense the clients brief and present a 5 story building to the neighbourhood that was sensitive to its scale, whilst also providing the design quality and amenity expected by the client. The building also needed to naturally ventilated and provide the residents with a significant green space, whilst being robust and easily maintained. The building is arranged as two single loaded forms, separated by podium planting that acts as a “green lung” for the site. The building on Bothwell Street to the North-East of the site is conscious of its relationship to a smaller scale residential neighbourhood adjacent. A ribbon of landscape winds its way from street level; up the generous entry stair and arrives at an oasis.